HKALE BIOLOGY | E3 Microorganisms and Humans | P.

1. 1993/IA/1
Using annotated diagrams only, outline the life cycle of a bacteriophage.
(7 marks)
2. 1993/IB/10e
(i) Distinguish between “faecal bacteria” and “pathogenic bacteria”.
(3 marks)

(ii) Name a disease that could be transmitted through the consumption of sewage-contaminated oysters.
(1 mark)

3. 1996/IA/1
The schematic diagrams below show the different stages (P. Q, R, S and T) in the life cycle of a
bacteriophage. They are not in the correct sequence.

(a) Rearrange the stages by listing the letters only to show the correct sequence of events in the life cycle
of a bacteriophage from attachment to lysis.
(1 mark)

(b) Identify X and Y. Describe the events illustrated by stage T.

(2.5 marks)

(c) Describe the events illustrated by stage P.

(1.5 marks)
 HKALE BIOLOGY | E3 Microorganisms and Humans | P.2

4. 1996/IIB/7
Describe the ecological roles of microbes in nature. How can these roles be exploited by man? Discuss
the beneficial and harmful consequences of such exploitation by mankind.(20 marks)

5. 1997/IIB/7
Human parasites belong to different taxonomic groups. Using one example from each of these groups,
describe the various modes of infection and the effects of these parasites on man. What preventive
measures would you adopt to reduce the risk of parasitic infection? Indicate the biological basis and
rationale for such measures.
(20 marks)
6. 1997/IIB/9
Explain the advantages and drawbacks of the methods of food preservation. Citing three incidents
related to unsafe or unhygienic food which occurred in Hong Kong and/or overseas, explain the
biological basis of the causes of such outbreaks. What preventive measures would you suggest to the
local government(s) to safeguard the people from similar hazards in the future?
(20 marks)
7. 1999/IB/11
A student collected samples of soil from paddy fields A and B. In each soil sample, he sowed 100 rice
grains. The daily average number of viable seedlings found in the two types of soil samples is presented
in figure 1 below:
Figure 1: Effect of soil type on viability of rice seedlings

(a) Compare and contrast the viability of the seedlings in the soil collected from paddy fields A and B.
(4 marks)

(b) Microorganisms were found coating the roots of the rice seedlings. These microorganisms were
isolated and examined. The following photomicrographs show their morphology:

Microorganism J Microorganism K

Identify the major taxonomic group to which each microorganism belongs. Give two reasons for
each identification. (3 marks)
 HKALE BIOLOGY | E3 Microorganisms and Humans | P.3

(c) It was found that soil from field A contained both microorganisms J and K whereas soil from field B
contained microorganism J only. According to the observed growth response of the rice seedlings in
each soil type shown in Figure 1, a student put forward two hypotheses:
Hypothesis I: J is harmful to the rice seedlings and kills them but K overcomes the harmful
effect of J.
Hypothesis II: K is necessary to maintain the viability of the rice seedlings alter germination.
To test these two hypotheses, the student added the microorganisms J and / or K to samples of
sterilized soil. Then he sowed the rice grains in these soil samples. The table below shows the soil
treatments and the results of his investigation:
Percentage of viable seedling observed
Treatment Microorganism(s) On the day 1 day after 3 days after 7 days after
added to the soil of sowing sowing sowing sowing
P None 0 50 100 100
Q J 0 50 40 0
R K 0 50 100 100
S J+K 0 50 80 100

(i) In this investigation, why is it necessary to use sterilized soil in all the treatments?
(2 marks)

(ii) Compare the results or the following treatments and draw conclusions from your comparison.
(6 marks)

Comparison of the results of Effect of J and / or K on the

the treatments rice seedlings
(1) Treatments Q and P
(2) Treatments R and P
Treatment S and all
(3)
the other treatments
(iii) Do the findings support the two hypotheses put forward by the student? Put a '√' in the
appropriate box.
(1 mark)

The findings support hypothesis I alone. □

The findings support hypothesis II alone. □
The findings support both hypotheses I and II. □
The findings support neither of the two hypotheses. □

(iv) Propose one mechanism by which microorganism K may act to produce the observed result in
treatment S.
(1 mark)
9. 1999/IIA/2biii
Explain why the virus, as a group of parasites, has not been considered as the origin of the
mitochondrion. Base your answer on the following aspects of a virus: size, structure and its interaction
with the host cell. (8 marks)

10. 2001/IIB/9
‘Micro-organisms have been utilized for the protection of human health and food production. However,
some micro-organisms are harmful to human health and food production.’ Discuss these statements with
reference to examples.
(20 marks)
 HKALE BIOLOGY | E3 Microorganisms and Humans | P.4

11. 2002/IIA/1
The following diagram shows a bacterial cell with some of its structures labelled :

(a) (i) Name structure C and explain how it enables the bacterium to survive.
(2 marks)

(ii) Briefly describe two other mechanisms found in unicellular eukaryotes that perform the same
function as structure C.
(4 marks)
(d) This bacterial cell reproduces by binary fission. Why is this process not a mode of sexual
reproduction?
(2 marks)
(e) Two clear zones were observed in a culture of a bacterium on an agar plate. It was identified that
one clear zone was caused by fungal contamination whereas the other was caused by a
bacteriophage. Explain how each clear zone developed.
(4 marks)
12. 2003/IC/13g
Based on your knowledge of the life cycle of a virus, suggest how viral particles could be mass produced
in order to prepare vaccines for human use. (3 marks)

13. 2006/IC/13a
Explain why the production of antibiotics by microorganisms is important to their survival in the
natural environment. (lines 3-5) (2 marks)